Ingram’s September 2022

Paul Thompson CHAIRMAN/CEO, COUNTRY CLUB BANK

Brian Unruh PRESIDENT/CEO, nbkc bank

Country Club Bank’s long tradition of focusing on people and commu nity was in full force as Paul Thompson guided the organization out of lockdown. “Reinvigorating our organizational energy as we returned to the office with a thoughtful, flexible work balance. It’s a perspective the bank routinely maintains. We paid an “inflation bonus” to associ ates whose discretionary income was being disproportionately eroded by this recent and near unprecedented levels of inflation,” said Thompson.

When the bank he runs leaned hard into mortgage lending a few years ago, revenues went off like a rocket for nbkc bank. Much of that increase was driven by an expanded presence in the home-lending space, but not all of it—the company’s venture into financial technology also helped produce an almost unheard-of 14.79 percent return on as sets (when 1 percent is generally a sign of a healthy return).

COLLEGE: B.S., Finance, Creighton University; M.B.A., Rockhurst University RECESSION THREAT: “Somewhere between somewhat to highly likely, particularly in light of Fed Chair Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole. Fed Chairs do not use the word “pain” lightly. … That said, with regard to their predictive success, the Fed also said this inflation was going to be “transitory” or temporary. That turned out NOT to be the case.” COVID: “We responded appropriately to and consistent with the public-health directives. We reas sured associates that their health, and that of their families, is our primary concern. Now that COVID is endemic, we must get on with our lives while remaining vigilant about smart health protocols.” NEXT BIG THING: “To focus on our ‘infrastructure’—human and physical. We need to be sure we are fairly providing the opportunity and preparing the next generation to be a well-educated, trained and available while simultaneously providing a safe and enjoyable environment in which to live, work, and play.”

COLLEGE: B.S., Journalism/Advertising, Kansas State University INNOVATORS: The bank flexed its innovation muscle in 2018 when it rolled out the first financial technology accelerator in the region. That helped introduce the term “fintech” into the local banking vernacular. TOP BOSS: Glassdoor.com, the employment-themed Web site, has ranked Unruh No. 22 on its list of the nation’s best CEOs in the small and mid-size category, and the company has won multiple awards for best employment practices. RETENTION POWER: Even before the labor market became tighter than a drum, Unruh was known for his focus on attracting and retaining employees. That was a goal in mind when the bank remod eled, adding collaborative spaces and places for its 315 employees to relax or engage in activities. TO NBKC: He started with INTRUST Bank, rising to VP, then at Heritage Bank. He joined nbkc in 2008.

Mike Valentine CEO, NETSMART TECHNOLOGIES

Nicole Van Denabeele KC PRESIDENT, BANK MIDWEST

Mike Valentine’s career has been a textbook case of success through a blend of entrepreneurship and smarts, and he navigated that into a role in which he affects the well-being of countless thousands. Netsmart provides technology that helps to ensure accurate oper ation in an incredible range of fields, including pediatrics, geriatrics, addiction treatment, autism, and many more. North of 25,000 organi zations entrust their health IT needs to Valentine and Netsmart.

Parent NBH Bank went with a proven numbers person two years ago when it needed new leadership of the Bank Midwest and tabbed certified public accountant Nicole Van Denabeele as its new president. Operating under the Bank Midwest brand, NBH brought her on board in 2018 as chief accounting officer. With nearly $7 billion in assets, it’s well within the Top 10 in this market by size.

COLLEGE: B.S., Industrial Engineering, Kansas State University THE PATH TO NETSMART: Valentine previously spent 12½ years at Cerner eventually rising to become its chief operating officer. EARLY ENTREPRENEUR: His experience in the startup world came with Maryville Technologies, an integrated IT solutions company he co-founded and managed. CIVIC-MINDED: Valentine serves on multiple boards of prominent companies and organizations, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the American Heart Association, American Royal, his alma mater in Manhattan, and the Wildscape Foundation. HONORS: He’s been recognized by Ingram’s as both a member of 40 Under Forty (Class of 2002) and Rainmakers (2010).

COLLEGE: B.A., Accounting and Business Administration, M.A., Accounting and Information Sys tems, University of Kansas. DOUBLE DUTY: In addition to being the organization’s president, Van Denabeele is also chief accounting officer for the parent corporation. DEPTH: Van Denabeele is a seasoned executive in public company accounting and financial reporting within the financial services sector and made the leap to banking from financial oversight within the legal sector as controller of Kansas City’s Polsinelli, PC. Her resume also includes a stint as assistant controller for UMB Financial Corp. and six years in public accounting with Deloitte. BOARDS: She sits on the boards for the Greater KC Chamber and the finance committee for Ronald Mc Donald House Charities of KC. Before those roles, she had served as a board member for the Jo Bryant Memorial Foundation and Mighty to Serve, which promotes family participation in community service.

Randy Vance PRESIDENT/COO, SUNDERLAND FOUNDATION

Julia Vander Weele MANAGING PARTNER, SPENCER FANE

The Sunderland Foundation is a philanthropic juggernaut with a mission “to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, with attention to those populations with the greatest need.” Its own foundation rests on the legacy of Ash Grove Cement, which was in the family for generations before its sale in 2018. More than a third of the proceeds from that sale went into beefing up the foundation that Vance—former Ash Grove CEO—oversees.

Last year, Julia Vander Weele said the pandemic taught her the importance of listening in getting people through a tough situation. Listening seems to have worked again, as she looks back happily on “re-engaging our workforce and navigating a hybrid return to the office.” Vander Weele sees in the experi ence a reflection of something bigger. “Our culture has always been important to us, and the pandemic just enhanced our commitment to preserving it.”

COLLEGE: B.A., Business Administration, MBA-Finance, UMKC MISSION FOCUSED: The foundation supporting such cause as higher education, human services, arts and culture, and health care and hospitals, primarily by providing much-needed funding for major capital and construction projects. SUDDEN IMPACT: The $3 billion sale of the company instantly infused massive assets into the foundation, rocketing it to the No. 3 position among non-profit entities. In recent years, it has made spectacular commitments to the construction of Children’s Mercy’s research tower ($75 million) and the Cambridge Tower addition at the University of Kansas Hospital ($66 million. CAREER PATH: Before Ash Grove Cement, Vance’s CV took him through stints with Commerce Bank, Farmland Industries, interstate bakeries, and Hostess Brands. LEGACY: Ash Grove Cement was in the Sunderland family for more than 100 years.

COLLEGE: B.A., J.D., University of Iowa CHALLENGES AHEAD: “Talent acquisition and retention. Our culture continues to be our most valuable retention tool.” KC’S NEXT BIG THING: “The construction of the riverfront stadium for KC Current over the next few years will bring a new and exciting element to downtown.” CHIEFS PREDICTION: “15-2.”

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I n g r a m ’ s

September 2022

Ingrams.com